A short winter trip to Reykjavik and the Icelandic countryside - 5 days / 4 nights

During the day, explore Southwest Iceland, known for its natural wonders and cultural sites. See glittering glaciers, snow-clad mountains, giant lava fields and steaming hot springs. Bathe in the mineral rich geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and walk on a black lava beach. Visit an Icelandic horse farm and travel close to the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. If you like, you can soak in an outdoor hot tub and stay awake all night to search for the northern lights. We overnight in a small hotel in the countryside. It’s truly a magnificent place to be on a dark clear night. On the best of nights, the northern lights come out to dance as well.

You can choose budget or comfort accommodation.
Highlights and Experiences:
-Budget holiday offering excellent value for money
-Must-see nature: the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the Blue Lagoon
-Visit to Skógar folk museum with turf houses
-2 night stay in South Iceland, ideal for Northern Lights hunting
-2 evenings with a combination of lectures, presentations, film and guided searches for Aurora Borealis
-Optional Northern Lights fjord cruise

Not Included

Lunch and dinner
Nature fees: There is a possibility that some of the natural attractions around Iceland might charge an entrance fee during the trip. These entrance fees are not included in the tour price and need to be paid by all tour members additionally on the spot when entering any of these natural sites. Locations, amount of entrance fee, form of payment and other details are not known at present and are subject to change.

Itinerary

Day 1. WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 miles)

The Flybus shuttle brings travelers from Keflavík International Airport to the guesthouse accommodation in Reykjavík where you spend one night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own.

Meet your tour guide who will show the group some of the highlights of Iceland’s capital. Head out to the Reykjanes peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, lighthouses and fishing villages. In the afternoon, take a bath in the warm blue waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. Stay for two nights in a countryside hotel in South Iceland. In the evening, we will hear about the Northern Lights from our tour guide. Once darkness falls, we will be out and about chasing the Northern Lights.

Day 3. SOUTH ICELAND WITH OPTIONAL GLACIER HIKE (200 km/124 miles)

Head along the south coast and get near the active volcano that is beneath the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. Stop at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, plunging over the mountain. There's a trail that goes behind the waterfall that offers interesting views, if you are prepared to get a little wet! Next we visit Skógar folk museums, which contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland's past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country; the 60 meter high Skógafoss waterfall.
In the afternoon we offer an optional glacier walk. The Sólheimajökull glacier tongue extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier, down to the sandy plains of the Icelandic south coast. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged and majestic rock formations thoroughly shaped by the glacier. On this fun, safe and easy to moderate glacier walk you get to explore the wonderland of ice sculptures, water cauldrons, ridges and deep crevasses on the breath-taking Sólheimajökull glacier. While enjoying all the features of the glacier and its spectacular surroundings, you will learn more about the behavior of glaciers and their impact on nature. No technical requirements are needed for the tour as an experienced glacier guide will teach you how to use basic glacier equipment, such as crampons and an ice axe which are provided for glacier walk tours. The unique experience of a glacier walk on one of the many retreating glaciers of the world is sure to leave lasting memories. Duration of this activity is about 3 hours in total, about 90 minutes on the ice and about 30-40 min walk (one-way) from the parking lot to the glacier edge itself. Minimum age for the glacier hike is 10 years. You need to bring warm clothing, rain gear and hiking boots. The glacier hike can only be booked with the guide on day 2. The special price for the Land of Northern Lights group members is ISK 12.000 (about EUR 100 per person). Payment is due in with the glacier hike company on day 3 Icelandic Krona - cash only!

If you booked the trip without the glacier hike, then the tour continues further south where you can stroll on the black lava beach to see the amazing bird cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík. In the evening there is another presentation about the Northern Lights. If the night is clear, you might see the Northern Lights swirling in a wild and carefree dance across the heavens in dramatic shapes, colours, patterns and sizes. The grounds of Árhús Cottages and the Stracta Hotel in Hella are very large and dark and offer you a good location for Northern Lights search if the weather conditions are right. It requires patience, warm clothing and the excitement.

Day 4. HORSES & GOLDEN CIRLCE (210 km/130 miles)

In the morning, you learn about the Icelandic horse and its history and special qualities, and also visit a geothermal greenhouse. You see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur "the Churn" which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. You continue to Gullfoss "the golden falls", a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river, and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. We travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to Reykjavík for one night. An optional Northern Lights evening cruise can be booked on the spot, if the weather conditions are ideal.

Payments & Terms

20% DepositCancellation:
A cancellation fee of 20% of the tour price and accommodation will be retained by us for cancellations made from 4 to 8 weeks before departure. From 28 days until 8 days before departure, the fee is 50%. No refund is possible for cancellations less than 8 days before departure, or for no shows, and a tour begun but not completed. The exchange of one arrangement for another must be agreed by us beforehand.CHILDREN DISCOUNT:
25 % discount for children 2-11 years of age if sharing room with parents. Triple rooms are actually double rooms with extra bed and ideal for 2 adults and 1 child.Please note that optional glacier hike is not available during the New Year's departure

Useful Information: Here you will find other information for this tour.

DURATION: 5 days / 4 nights

TOUR START:Arrival in Iceland on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays and guided bus tour start on Wednesdays, Fridays or Sundays at 09:00.

LANGUAGES: English.

ACCOMMODATION:For this program we use budget accommodation in order to offer an attractive package price. You get great value for money. The first and last nights are at Hotel Cabin, in Reykjavík, offering rooms (10m2) with shower/wc, a restaurant and a bar. The 2nd & 3rd nights are at Árhús Cabins in Hella, South Iceland, where 23 simple cottages with shower/wc are located in a large garden right on the river banks in the village of Hella. Árhús Cabins are popular with outdoor active guests and families travelling with children. All cottages are equipped with a small kitchenette and free Wi-Fi. There is a restaurant on premises, and a public swimming pool and supermarket are within walking distance.

The tours can be booked with a hotel upgrade option. In Reykjavik overnight will be at Hotel Klettur in downtown Reykjavík. In Hella overnight will be in 24m2 studio rooms with kitchenette at Stracta Hotel, which offers a restaurant, hot tubs and sauna on its premises. It is a 10 minute walk from Stracta Hotel to Árhús Cottages in Hella where the guide gives the Northern Lights lectures and presentations. The Northern Lights movie is also shown at Stracta Hotel.

MEALS: 4x breakfast

GROUP SIZE: Guaranteed departures / Maximum group size: 40 persons

Note regarding dinners:In Reykjavik, the dinner is on your own. There are many restaurants for both fast food and a fine a la carte dining in Iceland's capital. The Árhús Cottages in South Iceland offer a limited a la carte menu with a selection of fish, meat and vegetarian as main course. Lunch stops are made at small country restaurants or petrol station diners.

Change of program:In rare cases, change of itinerary might be necessary during winter programs in Iceland, should snow, road and weather conditions not allow to follow the scheduled itinerary, and certain outdoor activities might be cancelled. In this case no refund will be given, but the tour operator will try the find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.

NORTHERN LIGHTS: This program includes 2 evenings of presentations, lectures, film and guided evening walks or excursions at spots likely to offer a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. The tour is dependent on weather and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Northern Lights are in the northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone (it is not a TV show that you can just turn on and off). But it’s worth the patience required. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly outstanding event. For the best photos we recommend using a tripod. You will be provided with Winter & Northern Lights explorer equipment: simple non slip snow & ice grippers spikes for shoes and a flash light that is helpful when walking in the dark and operating your photo camera at night.

Payment:A non refundable deposit of 20%, of the total package price should reach TOURIS within 3 days of confirmation of booking and full payment not later than 6 weeks prior to tour departure. In case of delay on payments, TOURIS will reserve the right to treat this as a cancellation and withdraw its confirmation of the services.
Every detail regarding the booking must be included, in order for TOURIS to ensure efficiency, including the passengers´ name, flight information, all accommodation, tours and other services.

Insurance: To avoid dispute in case of cancellation, we strongly recommend that our clients purchase a comprehensive travel insurance in their home country, that covers your cost should you have to cancel your tour. This kind of travel insurance is usually not expensive and it frequently covers other risks too.